I was moved by President Obama's speech in response to the most recent mass shooting at a community college in Oregon. He had a direct answer for each and every protest made by those who oppose gun control, and his plea for action to be taken struck me as powerful and urgent. The majority of Americans, including many Texans, agree that our laws need to change. We have nothing to lose and so, so much to gain.

We have long been concerned about the increase of mass shootings in our country since the 2005 Congressional action that no longer holds gun manufacturers responsible. This must change!

My brother committed suicide with a gun, which he obtained easily in spite of his criminal record. I also have two cousins, sisters, who were murdered by one of their former boyfriends. He, too, had a criminal record, and also obtained a gun with no trouble. I also have friends and neighbors who have lost loved ones because of gun violence. This problem is way too common and it has to stop. No one is safe any more.

I am starting this petition not to further our spiral into a more and more litigious society, but to get the attention of the firearm industry and make them understand the depth and breadth of the issues caused by lack of responsibility by gun sellers. Sadly the fastest way to do that is to hit them in the wallet. Imagine how powerful it would be to have the influence and money of the Gun Lobby on the side of gun reform. I am also tired of sending thoughts and prayers to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and all the others whose lives are forever changed by the lack of responsibility among us. We need to take a stand. Make a promise and act. Don't talk about what needs to be done. Do it.

I am tired of reading about mass shootings and how everyone deflects to media, mental health, and excuses. Fine. Fix those other things, too. But for the improvement of our supposedly civil nation--get laws in place for better gun safety. There is a more intense process for learning to drive than there is for purchasing, owning, and using guns. We must start somewhere. Get gun manufacturers, the NRA, and others helping. Nobody is saying you can't be a responsible gun owner. Help the citizens of New Hampshire to force these organizations to be accountable.

I am sick and tired of hearing about all of the shooting deaths that occur in my city, state, and country. There is too much death and destruction in this world. Let's do our part to end it by starting right here at home in Ohio. There is simply no need for guns in a civilized society.

I am a concerned citizen and mother whose is just beyond frustrated with the fact that guns have become more important than our children's lives!

Having both a grand-daughter and a grandfather murdered by mentally unstable persons, I believe we need to enforce sensible restrictions on gun ownership in order to save lives.

The last shooting in Oregon was the tipping point for me. I had to do something. We all have to do something.

Sandy Hook. Columbine. Red Lake, Minnesota. Essex, Vermont. Lancaster. Aurora. Virginia Tech. Umpqua. How many more innocent victims must die at the hands of an antiquated and oft-misinterpreted amendment? Enough. It's time to stop the violence. Gun control doesn't have to mean no guns. I'm not suggesting we take guns away. I'm suggesting we put tighter controls on acquiring and owning them. Gun show loopholes must be stopped. Ammunition should not be sold online. Mandatory wait periods should be enforced, during which time a thorough background check, psychological and medical evaluation, and character references should be completed. More accountability should be placed in the hands of retailers. When patrons refuse wait periods, authorities should be notified. Training and testing should be mandatory, as should a renewal process that includes many of the above-mentioned evaluation terms. Gun owners and non-gun owners need to come together and agree on regulations that protect the right to own a firearm for sane, responsible adults and keep them out of the hands of the mentally unstable. I would hope that we could all agree to submit ourselves to these terms when it's easier to go to a gun show and pick up a firearm than it is to go to the local pharmacy and buy cold medication. Acquiring and owning a gun should be at least as controlled as getting a learner's permit, license, and privilege to drive a car. Gun control alone is not the whole of the solution, but it's a start. And if it keeps guns out of the hands of even one mentally unstable person and saves one sweet life, it's worth it.

This petition is about saving lives … especially the extremely heartbreaking death and traumatizing of children. I have many children and grandchildren and it is so very upsetting to know that school is no longer a safe place for them.

The threat of gun violence hangs over us every day, whether we are assembled for classes, a concert, or for public transportation, we can't help but have it cross our minds: what would we do if someone took out a gun? We can't walk down the street without knowing that our government is doing NOTHING to prevent violent people from having access to guns. Non gun owners right to reasonable safety is not being protected. That must change!